Juggling Act » Christmas

My daughter is Sweet 16

israelm — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:58:19 +0000

On Christmas Day, my teenage daughter turned 16.

I made a red velvet birthday cake. Her grandma, who turned 80 last month, and other relatives gave her lots of hugs and kisses, and some birthday gifts. We sang a hearty rendition of the birthday song.

And, it snowed.

She’ll also celebrate with friends after the holidays, but the annual family birthday party has become a special tradition over the years.

My daughter didn’t stop smiling all day.

Finding the spirit of Christmas

israelm — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:11:38 +0000

A few weeks ago, my daughter was unusually quiet as we began decorating our Christmas tree. We had pulled out our collections of ornaments –I have ethnic inspired angels and other pieces while my daughter’s set includes ornaments she has made since elementary school and the ones I have given her every year since her first birthday. I had turned on the Christmas music and was ready to have a good time when my daughter finally spoke up.

“Mommy, I’m not feeling the Christmas spirit this year,” she said. “It’s been different since I found out Santa isn’t real.”

Our Christmas celebration has always been rooted in what some folks call “the real reason for the season” so my 15-year-old daughter understands this significant religious holiday. But the loss of the fantasy had overpowered her feelings of joy, as it does for many people. I felt similar feelings as a teenager so I understood her sadness. So we talked and came up with a plan.

The minister at my Baptist church has been talking a lot about living a life shaped by giving and helping others. My daughter and I decided to rededicate ourselves to being helpers. I won’t list what we’ve being doing recently as the true spirit of giving is not to draw attention to what you do. We’re committed to volunteering and helping in the future.

My daughter turns 16 on Christmas Day. I’m trying not to cry as I think about this milestone time in her journey to becoming a young woman. My daughter is growing up. I think that this Christmas she really understands that the power of this season is in what you give of yourself.

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Enjoying family time

israelm — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:56:22 +0000

We waited in a long line of cars for nearly two hours to drive through the four-mile Festival of Lights, the back seat crowded with my daughter and two nephews. One of my sisters sat with me in the front.

We sang Christmas songs for a while. My daughter and teenage nephew teased the six-year-old. My sister dozed off. Finally, as we entered the magical light show the car erupted into a chorus of oohs and ahhs. For more than an hour we enjoyed the display of sparkling snowflakes that seemed to fall from the trees, the elves shooting fireworks, the lighted deer sprinting through the forest, the tall flickering candles surrounded by poinsettias and more.

We savored the million or so sparkling lights in this traditional celebration of the Christmas season. No one complained when we finally finished the show at 12:30 in the morning and still had to ride for at least 30 minutes to start dropping folks off at home. We had enjoyed our family time, laughing and talking and just enjoying each other’s company.

That’s what makes the Christmas holidays special and memorable.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family time.

Decorating with mom

israelm — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:12:14 +0000

The last time I helped with the Christmas decorations at the house where I grew up I was in college. I did it again over the weekend with my mother but this time I savored those special moments.

Christmas music was playing – tunes by Ray Charles, the Drifters, The Jackson Five and others. I put wreaths on the front door and on two of the outside windows. My mom unwrapped the smaller items—a couple bouquets of silk flower poinsettias, some trinkets from her grandchildren, a few Santas and other whatnots—and lovingly placed them around the living room and den. It was simple and festive. She left many of the decorations in the storage boxes. There was no Christmas tree.

My nearly 80-year-old mother moved slowly and carefully. Because of surgery a little over two months ago, she’s able to walk now without a cane or other assistance. She was happy.

Later in the day, I ran some errands for Mom, picking up some groceries and miscellaneous items. I also did some cleaning, with help from my soon-to-be 15-year-old daughter.

It was a nice weekend. Now that I’ve moved back to North Carolina, I won’t miss any more Christmas decorating days.

Soul Rhythms blogger Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb and I are trying to shrink our belly fat in a six-month Melt the Middle challenge. Be sure to join us.